Policies and mechanisms to address climate-induced migration and displacement in Pacific and Caribbean small island developing states

• Published in: International journal of climate change strategies and management 2018-01, Vol.10 (1), p.86-104
• Main Authors: Thomas, Adelle, Benjamin, Lisa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Best practice; Best practices; Climate adaptation; Climate change; Climate change adaptation; Climate-induced migration; Colonialism; Developing countries; Development projects; Disasters; Displaced persons; Displacement; Enforcement; Environmental impact; Environmental policy; Environmental risk; International organizations; Islands; LDCs; Loss and damage; Migration; Natural disasters; Policies; Regional development; Regional planning; Regions; Residents; Risk management; Risk reduction; Sea level; Shoreline protection; Small island developing states; Soil erosion; Sustainable development; Vulnerability
• ISSN: 1756-8692; 1756-8706
• DOI: 10.1108/IJCCSM-03-2017-0055

Purpose This study aims to assess policies and mechanisms in Caribbean and Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) that address climate-induced migration and displacement. The migration of communities away from vulnerable regions is highly likely to be an adaptation strategy used in low-elevation SIDS, as the impacts of climate change are likely to result in significant loss and damage, threatening their very territorial existence. SIDS must ensure that residents relocate to less vulnerable locations and may need to consider international movement of residents. Ad hoc approaches to migration and displacement may result in increased vulnerability of residents, making the development and enforcement of comprehensive national policies that address these issues a necessity. Design/methodology/approach Interviews with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiators for SIDS as well as analysis of secondary data, including Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, are utilized to determine policies and mechanisms in place that focus on climate-induced migration and displacement. Findings While climate change is acknowledged as an existential threat, few SIDS have policies or mechanisms in place to guide climate-induced migration and displacement. Potential exists for migration and displacement to be included in policies that integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation along with national sustainable development plans. Regional bodies are beneficial to providing guidance to SIDS in the development of nationally appropriate frameworks to address climate-induced migration and displacement. Originality/value Existing gaps in policies and mechanisms and challenges faced by SIDS in developing strategies to address climate-induced migration and displacement are explored. Best practices and recommendations for strategies for SIDS to address migration and displacement are provided.